But the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. (Matthew 28:5-6)

"The Tomb is Empty!!"

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!!

Our long suffering as a nation has always been compared to the passion and death of Jesus Christ. The economic hardship was like a heavy cross which we carry around over our shoulders for a long time now. The worsening hunger and poverty that our nation is experiencing are grim reminders that the resurrection of our nation is nowhere in sight.

Hence, in our search for the Light, we leave our families behind crossing borders and establishing diasporic communities across the world as we have submitted our selves to voluntary exiles hoping to lay down the foundation of redemption for our families. Like Christ and his cross on Good Friday, we the OFWs are weighed by our own crosses (of burdens of solitude, loneliness and hopelessness). Like the apostles, we practically die every day with our daily trials and difficulties as we face the uncertainties of working in the foreign lands.

But Christ has broken through every boundary and taken down every wall to get into our lives; the empty tomb of our Lord invites us to fill our hearts with faith and hope. Easter’s dawn after Black Saturday inspires us not to lose hope in our quest to create a better quality life, not just for ourselves, but for our children and their children’s children.

As Christ has proven his redemptive power over sin and death, we - the Global Filipinos -- are struggling our best to contribute to our nation’s “resurrection”. A lot of work has to be done and Easter reminds us that there is no victory without sacrifice, no significant change without resolve and no redemption without faith.

And as we celebrate Easter, Kablogs is giving its first ever Easter gift to you and to the Global Filipinos the first unique online magazine - The Kablogs Journal. The journal breaks ground and takes new roots in the main media stream of blogging dedicated to the 10 million OFWs whose faith, talents and skills have crossed borders. This journal is dedicated to all of them -- us! -- who have taken the challenge of making a difference in bringing new hope to our families and to our nation.

The Kablogs Journal’s maiden issue promises new beginnings as it brings inspirational articles, OFW news and information, literary arts, videos and photos written by its bright and thought provoking columnists and contributing OFW writers for the Global Filipino readers. As an invited columnist, I am delighted to write series of articles about the Global Filipinos, its mission and its faith; and I invite you too to join me and together let’s explore God’s miracles beyond borders in my regular column entitled “A Journey In Faith”.

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!

'The Pope' is a Doha-based blogger behind Palipasan: Aliwan ng Pagal na Kaisipan, a chronicle of his life thoughts and opinion. The Pope is an aircraft statistician and a seasoned overseas worker with over two decades of career experience in the aviation industry.